NEW recruit Sam Gilder insists he is not at Worcester City "to make up the numbers" despite facing competition from two other senior goalkeepers.

The summer target was registered as a City player over the weekend and travelled to Saturday's 6-1 triumph at Dunkirk despite not being part of the squad.

Cheltenham-based Gilder became a regular at Bishop's Cleeve having returned from Evesham United last season and opted to stay put only for his plans to be scuppered when he required surgery for appendicitis last month.

The farm worker found himself third in the pecking order at Kayte Lane on his return yet still endured a protracted exit before being allowed to complete his switch.

He now steps into a similar situation at City with Dan Jezeph, dual registered and recalled by parent club Tamworth at the weekend, and Matt Gwynne also vying for top billing.

"I am well chuffed to sign for Worcester, everyone knows it is a sleeping giant," said Gilder.

"With the crowds we get and the team Snapper (manager John Snape) has put together, we should be looking to get promoted.

"Things happen and I had to have an operation. The manager (at Cleeve) signed someone else while I was away which was fair enough but I went back to training and found myself third on the list.

"It was a bit of a kick in the teeth after I had turned down Worcester in the summer but I approached Snapper and it went from there. I was glad to get it over the line.

"This will be the same situation as Cleeve with three keepers, I know that. Matt and Dan are top keepers but competition is always good and we will be pushing each other.

"Everyone wants to play but if one of us in there and doing well the others cannot have any arguments. All we can do is give Snapper a decision to make.

"I am pretty determined and have not come here to make up the numbers, I have come here to play for a big club.

"I am looking to train hard, get my spot and hopefully make it my own but we all know we have to earn our places."

Now the deal is done, Gilder is looking forward to his new surroundings.

"I started playing Southern League football at the age of 16, making my debut in the FA Cup. I have quite a lot of experience and jumping into a new league will be good for me," he added.

"For teams at this level I will be something of an unknown as well. They won't know my strengths and the new challenge comes at a good time."